George W. Commons MD, FACS

About the Practice

Practice Philosophy

Because plastic surgery is usually elective, you can take time to choose your surgeon carefully. I hope to earn your trust.

At the Plastic Surgery Center we have a full-time 6th year Stanford resident in plastic surgery. I do 100% of the surgery on my own patients and help the residents do surgery on their own cases.

I love the practice of plastic surgery, I love the patients, I love everyday. It is not in any way work. My practice is a joy, totally a pleasure; very serious but always joyful.

The serious part is that I daily take on the task of improving a person's life. It is their life. It is their only life. They are trusting me to do the best possible for them. That is the goal of a facelift, or breast surgery, or nasal surgery, or liposuction-to enhance the quality of a person's life. This is a very major and grave responsibility. I am honored by each patient that selects me as their surgeon. This is an honor of the highest order. A person is entrusting me with their surgery, entrusting me to enhance the quality of their life, to keep them safe, to care for them after surgery and to care about them 100%.

This is joyful surgery that the patient has elected. The surgery is not imposed on them by a cruel twist of injury or illness. The patient has chosen this and the responsibility placed on the plastic surgeon is one of the very highest order.

Some call it recreational surgery. Yes it is fun surgery but with a very very serious mission. The plastic surgeon must rise to this mission. Every evening I study and mentally prepare for the surgery of the coming day. I want to know everything before entering the operating room. All plans must be formulated in my mind.

While preparing for surgery at the scrub sink (10 minutes of hand washing) I like to think that I am about to pilot a Boeing 747 on a mission. The flight will go well or not at my hand. I never deny adverse events could happen. Yes, even to me I say. My mission and my responsibility are grave. I am operating on a person. This is their life. Every decision must be correct. In all my actions I am guided by one thought: I must do the right thing 100% and 100% of the time.

Although it is a joy to be in surgery, every second is taken with great serious intent. I constantly remind myself of the honor the patient has bestowed upon me. I am always so appreciative to be in surgery. It is indeed a great privilege and honor.

Background & Certification

Professional Background

University of Pennsylvania
School of Medicine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(Oldest medical school in America and ranked in the top 3 for the past 40 years.)

Medical Training and Experience:

Stanford University
Stanford University Medical Center Intern in Surgery
Stanford University Medical Center Fellow in Plastic Surgery and Rehabilitation
Stanford University Medical Center Resident in General and Plastic Surgery
Stanford University Medical Center Chief Resident in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

United States Military U.S. Air Force
Honorary Citizen of the Philippines (Governor Valencia, Pampanga Province)
United States Air Force Hospital, Clark Air Force Base, Republic of the Philippines, Chief, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Clark Air Force Base, Medical Civic Action Program Director
Consultant in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Navy in the Far East
Consultant in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Central Luzon General Hospital. San Fernando, Republic of Philippines
Consultant and Lecturer, University of the Far East, Manila, Republic of the Philippines
Consultant to the Philippine Air Force, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Surgeon-in-Charge, U.S. Air Force, Philippine Air Force, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Rehabilitation Program for Underprivileged Children

Military Status:
Major, United States Air Force (Inactive Reserves) (16 years) Recipient-U.S. Air Force Accommodation Medal

2008 Clinical Review Article of 931 Cases of Large Volume Liposuction Cases Performed by George W. Commons, M.D. and anesthesiologist, Bruce Halperin, M.D. from 1992 to 2008. (Largest series in the world literature to date.)

Clinical Education-ASAPS Teaching Course Videotapes

1998 Surgical and Anesthetic Techniques for Large Volume Liposuction
(UAL and SAL)

Your Consultation

When you call the Palo Alto Center for Plastic Surgery you will be greeted by either Sue or Elaine. Along with their educational backgrounds and ability to answer most questions about aesthetic plastic surgery, they both have a warm enthusiastic attitude and are happy to share their knowledge and an evaluation of Dr. Commons' surgical skills. You can also request a complimentary consultation which includes a personal evaluation and a viewing of before and after pictures of surgery done by Dr, Commons to decide if surgery is for you before you meet the doctor. You then will be well informed with background material before you discuss your personal surgical desires with Dr. Commons. Sue has worked with Dr. Commons for the past 20 years and Elaine has worked 10 years in the office. They are highly valued by the entire office and our patients.

Staff & Facilities

Surgical Facility

Dr. Commons is a director of the Plastic Surgery Center of Palo Alto, a free standing surgery center certified by the prestigious Quad A certification boardand approved by Stanford for use by Stanford faculty and residents.